Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today —Thursday, December 28 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
With two game-winning touchdowns under his belt, and the Seahawks go-to receiver on third-down plays, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming into his own.
Smith-Njigba was drafted to be the team's No. 3 receiver, but what makes him so valuable as Seattle tries to climb out of the hole it dug itself with a four-game losing streak is the fact that on the most important down of the game, he can be a No. 1 option. He leads the team in targets, catches and yards on third down. He's second to Lockett with 14 catches that produced a first down.
Having faith in Smith-Njigba is a notable schematic development for a Seahawks team that so often has to deal with opponents double-teaming Metcalf and structuring their coverage to limit Lockett's explosives. Being able to take advantage of that attention and scheme plays for Smith-Njigba is something Seattle has been able to do in its last two wins, and something the team must keep doing if it wants to get in the playoffs and make noise.
"He's getting better every single week," Geno Smith said. "I love the way that he's preparing in practice. He's working extremely hard in practice. He's getting better every single day in practice. He's really getting more comfortable in the offense, just learning his assignments, the routes, the depths, all the things that we talked about him being great at. Obviously, he's a natural receiver when it comes to catching the football and making plays.
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Seahawks Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu's birthday is today
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Corbin K. Smith of Sports Illustrated:Seahawks Report Card: Top Performers in 20-17 Win vs. Titans.
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John Boyle of Seahawks.com: Seahawks Playoff-Clinching Scenario For Week 17
John Boyle of Seahawks.com: Seahawks Defense Has "Turned A Corner" Eliminating Explosive Plays
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett has fun with linebacker and Seahawks Man of the Year nominee Bobby Wagner as the duo heads to the buses for the trip to Tennessee.
The Seahawks boarded their Delta Charter amid clearing skies.
Seahawk Darrell Taylor boards the Delta charter for the flight to Nashville on Friday afternoon.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, wearing a Santa hat in the spirit of the holidays, boards the Delta charter flight to Tennessee on Friday.
The Seahawks landed in Nashville late Friday evening. Jarran Reed, Dre'Mont Jones and Mario Edwards head from the plane to the waiting buses.
On Saturday morning, running back Kenneth Walker III studied video after breakfast in the team's meal room.
At the team's Saturday walkthru, quarterbacks Geno Smith and Drew Lock reviewed the game plan with assistant quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph.
The Seahawks get pumped up led by running backs coach Chad Morton.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas checks out Nissan Stadium during the team's quick visit following walkthru.
On game day, receiver DK Metcalf headed to the team buses.
As he headed to the buses, head coach Pete Carroll greeted fans waiting outside the team hotel.
Mitchell Graff, a member of the team's equipment staff, helps check the communication system in the quarterback and linebacker helmets hours before kickoff.
Offensive linemen Raiqwon O'Neal, McClendon Curtis and Anthony Bradford during early pregame warmups.
In the visitors locker room, starting center Evan Brown talks strategy with line coach Andy Dickerson.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett gives an impassioned pregame speech to the team moments before they left the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks captains Geno Smith, Bobby Wagner, Nick Bellore and Quandre Diggs at midfield for the pregame coin toss.
Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe gets in the face (and arm) of Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf goes airborne during the first half for a long gain.
Seahawks defensive lineman Mario Edwards sacks Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill before halftime.
At halftime, offensive line coach Andy Dickerson outlines second half adjustments.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen nearly intercepts a pass in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III sprints away from a diving Tennessee defender.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett makes one of his eight catches on the day, leading all receivers.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner celebrates after a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
On Seattle's final drive, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a key third down pass to keep the drive alive.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson catches the game-winning touchdown on a pass from Geno Smith.
Seahawks tight ends including Will Dissy (leaping) celebrate with fellow tight end Colby Parkinson after Parkinson scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the game.
Seahawks Dre'Mont Jones and Leonard Williams sack Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the final drive of the game.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen puts a hard hit on the Titans receiver, which allowed the clock to keep running and for time to expire on Seattle's victory.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates as the sideline erupts at the final whistle of their victory over the Titans.
The many 12s amassed at Nissan Stadium cheered on their Seahawks after the win.
In the victorious locker room, head coach Pete Carroll addressed his team.
Seahawks safety Julian Love missed practice all week due to the impending birth of his first child, and flew on a private jet to Nashville on Saturday. Love made baby rocking motions as he boarded the return flight home to rejoin his wife and new baby on Christmas Eve.
Aboard the team's charter on the return flight home, Jarran Reed was already watching tape of the game he'd just played in.
Late on Christmas Eve, these 12s were waiting to greet the the team on their arrival back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
